The security level at the NATO air base in Geilenkirchen in western Germany was lowered again on Friday, less than 24 hours after authorities tightened security at the base following intelligence reports of a possible threat.
The security alert at the air base was raised to Charlie, the second-highest level, on Thursday as a precaution, but was lowered back to Bravo+ on Friday afternoon, an air base spokesman said.
This means that security measures at the airport are back to the same level as they have been since the start of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The air base spokesman said only that the decision to raise the security level Thursday night was based on intelligence information indicating a possible threat.
In NATO terms, security level Charlie means that an incident has occurred or there is evidence indicating a high likelihood of terrorist action against the alliance.
He again refused to provide further information about the nature or circumstances of the increased security.
However, he did reject speculation about possible drone overflights over the air base: “That is absurd.”
Overflight of the base is prohibited for unauthorized aircraft and the airspace is closely monitored. “Nothing has been flown over here yet,” Brett said.
As a precaution, many of the base’s 1,600 employees were sent home during the heightened alert phase, but flight operations at the base were not disrupted, he said.
AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft take off and land five days a week at the airbase, located on the German border with the Netherlands and close to Belgium.
NATO has 14 AWACS aircraft stationed at the base. There are two to three AWACS flights per day from Monday to Friday.
The spokesman said there was no cause for concern and that it was purely a precautionary measure to ensure the continuity of critical operations. However, he added that such a threat level was unusual and had not occurred at the Geilenkirchen base for years.
German police confirmed that they were coordinating security measures with the international military police stationed at the airport and with German national security authorities. However, the police declined to provide further information about the response.
About a week ago, German military bases were put on heightened alert after damaged fences at drinking water supplies near two facilities raised concerns about possible sabotage.
However, these concerns were dismissed and the green light was given after police and security services investigated and found no evidence of problems.
There are no indications that the increased vigilance in Geilenkirchen is related to previous incidents at German bases.
Security sources told dpa that suspicious sightings have also been made in Geilenkirchen and that someone has now been arrested near the airport for questioning.
According to the sources, the suspicions against the arrested person have not been confirmed.
